Mount Shinmoedake Volcano erupts in Japan-Biggest 52 years

Earthquake, tsunami, nuclear plant meltdowns, now volcano eruption what’s next?? — As if the people of Japan didn’t have enough to deal with with.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued a warning Sunday that the Shinmoedake volcano resumed activity.Hundreds of people had to flee when the Shinmoedake volcano on the southern island of Kyushu began spewing ash and boulders.

The explosion from the eruption could be heard from miles away and an ash plume extended two miles into the sky.

Shinmoedake, one of several volcanic peaks in the Kirishima mountain range, is 950 miles from the epicenter of Friday’s earthquake and scientists weren’t sure if the quake triggered the eruption.

Eruptions and quakes are common in Japan’s “ring of fire.”

The volcano last erupted Jan. 19 after remaining dormant for two years. Volcanologists had warned that a “lava dome” was growing inside the volcano’s crater, although it was uncertain when or if the volcano would erupt.

Sunday’s eruption, which was the biggest volcanic activity in Shinmoedake in 52 years, caused widespread destruction and panic.